"As part of this campaign, old farming tools will be collected from all villages across India as a token and will be used to build the statue of Sardar Patel who united 562 princely states in the union of India," Gujarat Cultural Activities Minister Ramanlal Vora told journalists.

Vora, who is leading a five-member delegation to the northeastern states, said the Congress-led government in Assam has promised to extend all support to the Gujarat government to construct the statue of unity.

"Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi has assured us to give full support to our project since he told us that Sardar Patel does not belong only to the Gujarat but is a son of India," Vora said.

However, the Gujarat delegation has not been able to meet Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma to seek his support for the statue.

"We have sought an appointment with Mukul Sangma before our visit to the state, but he has not been able to give us time since he is busy with his official assignments," Vora said.

Nonetheless, Meghalaya Governor K.K. Paul promised to help in the endeavour, Vora said.

The 182-metre statue of Sardar Patel is to be built in the middle of a water body, three km downstream of the Sardar Sarovar Dam in Gujarat.